As travel restrictions continue to ease and people look for inspiration for their ideal summer getaway, the Greek islands have it all. But with more than 200 inhabited islands to choose from, which ones are the best for the kind of vacation you have in mind? Are you looking for a quiet romantic escape with your significant other? A fun adventure holiday, perhaps? Or are you in the market for a seaside holiday with the kids?

With so many options out there, it can be tricky settling on the right choice. Fret not! Upmarket travel site Condé Nast Traveller has published a comprehensive list of the 23 best Greek islands to visit in 2022, with detailed entries and recommendations for where to stay. With tons of information out there, we think it’s the prefect place to start.

There’s no surprise seeing Santorini at the top of the list, noted in the article for being the best for “honeymooners and first-timers.” The iconic Cycladic island, famous for its whitewashed architecture and picture-postcard views of the caldera, the flooded crater caused by a massive volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago, is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. For history buffs, there’s some amazing archaeology at the Bronze Age city of Akrotiri, preserved under layers of volcanic ash (dubbed the “Pompeii of the Aegean”). Wine lovers will also enjoy the local Assyrtiko grapes and outstanding Vinsanto wines.

Further down the list, in fourth place, sits Corfu, recommended for its “character and lush landscapes.” The cosmopolitan Old Town, with its rich blend of Venetian, British and French architecture, is an absolute must for culture vultures. Beautiful manor houses, rolling olive groves and tiny fishing villages complete the picture.

Ideal for families, fifth-placed Kefalonia, made popular in the 1990s and early 2000s in the wake of the book (and later film) “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” is blessed with picturesque, easy-access beaches, family-friendly hotels, and oodles of options for fun activities. For the grown-ups, there are some delicious local wines to try. 

For those seeking a long weekend away with the “art crowd,” CN Traveller recommends seventh-placed Hydra, nestled close to the mainland in the Argo-Saronic Gulf, less than two hours by boat from Athens. Renowned artists and musicians have taken up residence here over the years, inlcuding Leonard Cohen in the 1960s, and, more recently Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and his novelist wife Polly Samson. The tiny car-free island is a hugely popular weekend haunt for Athenians, but if you time it right, the bars, restaurants and back alleys of Hydra’s main town are a delight.

For history buffs and adrenaline junkies, twelfth-placed Crete, Greece’s largest island, is sure to inspire. Ancient ruins, inlcuding the famous Minoan site of Knossos, beaches galore, and some of the most spectacular hiking trails in the country, Crete’s year-round sunshine make it the perfect island pick for any season.

Sixteenth-placed Tinos, the serene Cycladic island noted for its exquisite cuisine, is packed with traditional villages and “knockout tavernas.” One of the reasons why Tinos has remained mercifully “under the radar” for so long is due to its close proximity to the party island Mykonos (ranked fifteenth). A popular draw for both Catholic and Greek Orthodox pilgrims on August 15, the laidback pace of life on Tinos is in stark contrast to its rowdy neighbor, but the rustic villages, otherworldly landscapes, and divine food will make for an unforgettable Greek island experience.

For those seeking a quiet sandy beach to enjoy a good book, look no further than twenty-second-placed Skiathos in the Sporades. Famous for being the set location for the wildly popular film “Mamma Mia!” Skiathos boasts some of the best beaches in Greece. While some of the beaches in the south, especially Koukounaries, are busy in peak season, there are plenty of other options. CN Traveller recommends rugged Elia beach in the north, with its “crystal-clear sea and rickety wooden taverna” – a little slice of paradise.

Rounding out the list are: Syros, Naxos, Corfu, Sifnos, Milos, Serifos, Amorgos, Paxos, Ithaca, Folegandros, Mykonos, Patmos, Symi, Astypalea, Zakynthos, Rhodes, and Lefkada.

Check out the CN Traveller article here.